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I knew about hammocks including all of the cottage maker brands before buying my ENO. I wanted something simple and honestly, colorful. I can't stand all the brown/black/camo (sorry, guys!) as I love bright colors. I really love my bright turquoise/purple ENO AND I can find it at night.

The closest hobby I do that has "beginner" vs. "advanced" gear is fencing - and there is definitely a difference in price, function, fit (where applicable), and quality between those extremes. Keeping that in mind, I find the quality of the ENO to be good overall. Just because it's mass-marked and widely-available does not an inferior product make.

I'm a big fan of my doublenest. Other options are more comfortable for me overnight but it's awesome for naps and relaxing. I only know about hammock camping because I saw eno's at dicks. They got my attention because I was taking a canoe trip and thought it'd be a great way to relax around camp and skip bringing the camp chair. The material felt great and I couldn't believe it would hold me. I guess for me it was a "beginner" hammock in a sense that it began my hammocking interest. Certainly not a low quality product.

I've been sleeping in my Eno Doublenest for four years now and love it. I know the HH, BB and others offer things the Eno doesn't and maybe the quality is better, but I'm not unhappy with my Eno. And since the first night I slept in my Eno, I haven't had a bad night's sleep. So, until I become unhappy with my Eno or it wears out, I'll probably not be looking for another. So, for me, the Eno is not a "beginner" hammock.

availability and price, that's why I guess they would be considered "beginner" hammocks. If someones new to hammocking, I guess they would be more inclined to spend $60 on an ENO instead of $150+ for a warbonnet or something.

I do not consider any hammocks as beginners but merely first. I am considered by most to be frugal. The eno seemed expensive to me. I spent some time on the forum before my first purchase and wanted a full setup. I calculated the eno DN, a bug net & a rain fly. I bought a HH Explorer Delux Zip on sale ready to go hanging for less money. The Skeeter Beeter Pro is cheaper than eno. They are larger & already have the bug net. I have 2 & gave $42 & 45 for them. I think the eno is just the first hammock most people run into.

I do agree any first hammock can be addictive if it sees much use. I have purchased 9 hammocks to date (wife, grandsons, etc) and the HH Explorer was the most expensive so far.

Saying that. I've taken exception to such patronising terms before and been lambasted for it. Beginner implies hammocking is a sport of some kind like fishing. If your bed is comfy, it is comfy, it's akin to having a 'beginner' sleep mat! Basic yes. I know lot of experts that use basic gear. Less to go wrong

I got a steal on an ENO for twenty bucks, thinking this would be the lighter hammock with no net for when the mosquitoes die off. I should have known better. Can't go from a roomy Blackbird to a shorter, narrower hammock when you're claustrophobic and like the diagonal sprawl. I got a WB Traveler and the ENO goes in the car camping box.